Experiential Learning on Students’ Performance and Interest in Spreadsheet Skills in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of experiential learning strategies on students' interest and
academic performance in spreadsheet skills in private senior secondary school Port Harcourt
Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. The research was motivated by persistent reports of weak
practical performance in spreadsheet-related tasks despite the inclusion of spreadsheet skills in the
Business Studies and Computer Studies curricula. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design
employing a pretest-posttest, nonrandomized control group approach, using intact classes due to
the impracticality of random assignment. A sample of 120 Senior Secondary Two (SS2) students
was purposively selected from two private secondary schools. Data were collected using two
validated and reliable instruments: a 20-item Spreadsheet Interest Inventory (SII) on a 4-point
Likert scale, and a 30-item multiple-choice Spreadsheet Performance Test (SPT) adapted from
WAEC content, both yielding reliability coefficients of 0.83 and 0.82 respectively. A six-week
intervention involved the experimental group engaging in structured, hands-on spreadsheet tasks
with guided feedback and reflective discussion, while the control group received instruction
primarily through teacher demonstration with limited individual practice. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Analysis of Covariance at the 0.05 level of significance.
Findings revealed that students taught using the experiential learning strategy recorded a
substantially higher mean interest gain and better academic performance than those taught using
the discussion method. The study concluded that experiential learning is superior than discussion
method for teaching spreadsheets and recommended that educators, curriculum planners and other
education stakeholders should use practical, hands-on methods to teach spreadsheets and related
computing topics. This method improves learning and creates more engaged and motivated
students.